I'll Ask A Question And See How It Goes.

[sandra4444]

What do you think is the most pointless paid job at the moment.
I don't see the point of paying a volcanologist any longer because after many years of investigation they still can't predict an eruption, and I doubt they ever will, or control such.

[gness]

Sandra 15:04. You think that they should be stopped from research that could improve their knowledge? Have I got that right?

[LadyCG]

//A job that is meaningless now.... Maybe witchfinder general......//

Oh I don't know, many a troll has been spotted in these waters and though they try to disguise themselves, they stand out like a sore thumb...

Seriously though, some of the job titles in the NHS are truly ludicrous.

[rowanwitch]

A pencil would need sharpening and you couldn't risk small shavings and graphite dust floating around. I suspect a propelling version of a chinagraph pencil would have worked though.
Found list but I believe the list of products that entered the mainstream runs into hundreds
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/25-everyday-items-nasa-invented-225418477.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmluZy5jb20v&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAAhNsxOxYdv5xXtP1yowz_s5vbteEOn0j4xBSPOpguxGhCDrODt7qsao-zkTF44PwboSOzNW5d2K47tUC3X9xfdvMRl79kuj4HzBAskKMt40OTIk7Q378EWd0diYh96CVmLgZLpfnh7UFn-ViI1vyxMr8F3rZjhHeLf7K_EE2PPH

[sandra4444]

No suny dave its not been pointless. I'm just saying I don't believe there's any further need or anything else to be gained that we don't already know. It just seems to me that volcanologists just do it now out of interest, and not of any real value. Hope they prove me wrong.

[rowanwitch]

Now trollfinder general would be a job much in demand

[rowanwitch]

https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2018GL077766

Couldn't find anything more recent but work has carried on from here. There was a documentary about similar research a few years ago, they have now identified other signals.

[gness]

The Tonga eruption was very different and new data is being discovered and investigated.
Will be interesting if scientists do discover changing weather patterns across Europe as they suspect may happen.

I can put up a link, Sandra, if you're really interested.

[bednobs]

trouble is sandra, scientists are all like that .. they just want more and more data

[gness]

They do, Bednobs......little devils! ;-)

[sandyRoe]

Prince Andrew's press officer should be handed his/her P45. There can't be much more they could do.

[pastafreak]

The silly thing about scientists is that they have an overwhelming need to know...and they will not/cannot stop until all there is to know has been discovered.
For many,what they study is also a passion, often leading to unexpected discoveries.

[melv16]

Pointless job...the person who fits indicators to BMW's:-)